This year’s World Snooker Championship will see a record number of Chinese players, with 11 Chinese professionals appearing at the Crucible in April.

The challenge for these players extends beyond the table. With the majority of snooker events taking place in England, players need to learn English language skills, set up residence in the country and adapt to English culture.

Many international players will travel to England, to compete on the World Snooker tour, and in major events. Academies help providing community and a space to train, as well as assisting players in their personal lives, as players will permanently leave home to compete in the sport.

Andrew Bromley runs Victoria Snooker Academy, the home of reigning World Champion Zhao Xintong, former international champion Zhang Anda and many other professionals.

Mr Bromley spoke about the need to help players in their personal lives. He said: “It’s the support we offer off the table that is just as important.

“We help with everyday tasks, such as opening bank accounts, registering with a doctor, paying council tax and finding somewhere to live – we want them to fit in and make England feel like home.”

The academy opened in 2016, after Andrew’s wife Victoria Shi had worked as manager of 15-time major winner Ding Junhui, and saw him struggle with travelling across England with a young family. They saw an opportunity to open an academy in Sheffield to support rising Chinese players.

Mr Bromley described Victoria Shi as a ‘second mother’ to the players.

Current World Champion Zhao Xintong is one of Victoria Snooker Academy’s biggest success stories.

Mr Bromley first picked Zhao up from Manchester Airport when he was 15, and was able to develop his English at Victoria Snooker Academy, as well as his game. Victoria Shi was brought onto stage by Zhao after his World Championship success.

Mr Bromley explained how adapting to English culture helps on the table as well. “A good snooker player is a happy snooker player,” he said.

“If they are worrying about council tax or HMRC they won’t be as effective on the snooker table. Our role is taking all the worry away from them.”

The academy does not solely focus on professional players. Mr Bromley explained many Chinese students use the location to play pool. He said it’s a great location to practice, instead of boozier places, like Common Room and others.

He said: “We’ve got great links with the Chinese community at The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, we run games until midnight and the early hours of the morning.”

The academy is able to attract some of sport’s biggest names. Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has frequently used it as a practice venue, as well as seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, who visited to play Zhao Xintong last week.

Mr Bromley explained that top seeds love it as a place to practice, so close to the city centre and the Crucible.

Victoria Snooker Academy is one of many that host professional players within the city. Ding Junhui also has an academy, home to 10 professional overseas players. He said: “It’s a great academy for everyone to improve their game, I think it’s incredible.”

Mr Bromley felt it was extremely important the academy was based in Sheffield. “The Crucible is ten minutes from our academy, we take our players their to show them this is their goal, they could be playing at the Theatre of Dreams,” he said.

The academy hosts nations from across the world, such as Ukraine, Germany, Hungary, Egypt and Iran. Mr Bromley said he expected Snooker to continue to rise as a sport in years to come, especially in Eastern Europe.

The academy remains strongly represented at this year’s World Championship although Zhang Anda exited in his first round match yesterday, players Si Jiahui and tournament favourite Zhao Xintong remain in the competition.

Mr Bromley said he would want Zhao Xintong to win it all again, but would love it if any of his professionals took the title.